News

Norman Chamber – There’s an App for That!
Norman Chamber Develops Android App

The Norman Chamber of Commerce announced the release of a free Android application developed specifically for Norman and Chamber members. The app is exactly the same set-up as the previously released iPhone app, but for a new customer base.

“This app serves as a benefit to our chamber members, giving them exclusive unique visibility with the end user and allows expanded information on all things Norman to anyone with an Android phone,” said John Woods, President and CEO. “The Norman Chamber of Commerce is excited to offer this free product to and for our community.”

Search “Norman Chamber” at the Android Market or at the iPhone App Store to find and download the free apps.

The app features Chamber news, calendar of events, local weather, membership directory, elected official directory, visitor information and Norman links.

The Membership Directory allows users to search businesses in Norman by category or name, immediately go to their website, email or phone and map their location. The Elected Officials tab includes contact information for city, state and federal level.

Visitor Information features attractions and activities for visitors to Norman as well as local residents. The Norman Links feature puts users in touch with key institutions and areas of interest to Norman such as the City of Norman, Norman Public Schools and the University of Oklahoma. The weather feature is powered by Weather Decision Technologies and provides the current and long term weather forecast for Norman.

The new Android app and the previously launched iPhone app are all-inclusive resources and contact guides to all things Norman. They serve as an added benefit to chamber members and convenient tools for consumers, residents and visitors to the Norman community.

Police/Fire Chili Supper Scheduled

The 37th annual Police/Fire Chili Supper, benefiting the Cleveland County Christmas Store, will be held on January 12, 2012, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at the Norman High School Commons area (we recommend parking in the east parking lot). As always, carry out will be available, starting at 5:30 pm.

Tickets are available from the Norman Police and Fire Departments, the University of
Oklahoma Police Department, and the Norman Public Schools Campus Police for $5.00. All of
the money will benefit the Cleveland County Christmas Store because we are able to get the
supplies and ingredients donated.

Last year, we were able to donate over $6100.00 to the Christmas Store. We would like to
exceed that amount this year. There are many people who would not have an opportunity to
exchange Christmas gifts with their loved ones without the Christmas Store. We need to
continue to support them.

If you are interested in making a donation or would like further information, please contact
Sergeant Jennifer Newell at 366-5267.

Norman Chamber Launches 35 South Project

As the Chamber has looked to expand communication and outreach there has been a consistent desire to include Norman commuters.  The “35 South Project” is designed to keep Norman-to-OKC commuters in contact with what’s happening in Norman.

“There are many who travel to the OKC area for work every day but call Norman home,” said John Woods, President and CEO. “They are committed to the goals of the Chamber, they want a community they can continue to raise their family in, but often they are disconnected from the day to day activities and issues of our city.”

The Chamber is looking for anyone who lives in Norman and commutes to the OKC area. There is no exclusivity to this new project; anyone from young professionals to seasoned veterans in business are asked to share their desire to be included.

 “These leaders can be great ambassadors for our city and we need their involvement to help make our Norman the most dynamic, cutting edge city in Oklahoma,” said Woods. “I’m excited to announce the formation of the 35 South Project - a ground breaking opportunity for the Chamber and our partners to reach out to these commuters where they work and keep them up to date on what is happening in Norman.”

If you are an OKC area commuter or know one, please email your contact information to John Woods at john@normanchamber.com.  The 35 South Project’s first meeting will be held in February in Oklahoma City.  The date and speaker line-up will be announced soon.

Fowler Arts Education Award to Honor Extraordinary Efforts in Children's Arts Education

The Norman Arts Council and Fowler Volkswagen of Norman have partnered to establish an annual award honoring extraordinary efforts in arts education.
 
The Fowler Arts Education Award will be presented to an individual who has given back to the Norman community through educating children about the arts-music, theatre, art or other creative disciplines. The NAC will announce the award winner at their annual ONE Event on March 31, 2012.
 
"The Norman Arts Council is very thankful to Fowler Volkswagen for their sponsorship of this award. The NAC firmly believes in the importance of arts education and we are thrilled to be able to recognize those in our community who go above and beyond in this area," NAC Executive Director Erinn Gavaghan said.
 
The award winner's portrait will be included on a mural painted by artist Scott Charles Henderson on the Fowler Volkswagen building. The mural, located on Interstate 35, will showcase Norman's ever-growing commitment to children's arts education.
 
Jonathan Fowler, general manager for Fowler Volkswagen, said new winners will be added to the mural each year.
 
"This mural will be a continuous thumbs up to educators who are making a tremendous impact on our community and an advertisement to the thousands of people who drive by every day that Norman is an incredible place to work, live, raise a family and enjoy the arts," Fowler said.
 
Nominations are due by January 31, 2012. To nominate someone who has gone above and beyond in children's arts education, please complete the form on the Norman Arts Council's website at http://www.normanarts.org or by visiting http://www.tinyurl.com/FowlerArtsEducationAward.
 
For more information on the Fowler Arts Education Award, the Norman Arts Council, or the ONE Event, visit www.normanarts.org or call 405-360-1162.

Norman lowdown

The city of 110,000 boasts strong retail, a thriving music festival and, oh, yeah, OU Sooners football.

Anyone who only thinks of Norman as home to the University of Oklahoma is missing the bigger picture.

While the community some 20 miles south of Oklahoma City has been the Sooners’ home since 1890, Norman is no bedroom community. When it comes to a mix of homegrown and national retailers, it’s no slouch, either.

Want a car? Norman is home to the highly touted Mile of Cars, complete with jingle. Need to feed your inner hippie? Try locally owned The Earth Natural Cafe and Deli or the newly opened chain Natural Grocer by Vitamin Cottage. If your palate demands national restaurant chains, head to Campus Corner or the Interstate 35 corridor for a table at BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse or Chipotle Mexican Grill, or line up with the locals at Tarahumaras Mexican Cafe and Cantina or the Library Bar and Grill.

FULL ARTICLE by okcBIZ here

Tomorrow’s Leaders Class Announced

The Norman Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2012 Tomorrow’s Leaders Class. The class of area high school sophomores who have been selected to participate in this year’s class include: Madison Allen, Abby Baker, Blakely Bynum, Hannah Connery, Alex Cullison, Malisha Franklin, Joseph Gao, Ashlyn Gardner, Winston Havenstrite, Ashleigh Isaac, Spencer Jones, Courtney Lashar, Callum Maguire, Maggie Marcum, Reiley Menzie, Kimberlin Miller, Shelby Miller, Zac Musgrove, Anna Lee Painter, Ben Parker, Peyton Powers, Hayley Redwine, Renee Roe, Luck Schuermann, Zach Schuermann, Jordan Smicklas, Michaela Smith, Kal Snodgrass, Zach Terry, Elizabeth Waters.

This popular program, sponsored by the Norman Chamber of Commerce, includes ten sessions covering such topics as team building, leadership styles, city and state government, ethics and diversity, and community service. The purpose of the program is to further develop the leadership qualities and potential in the class members and to familiarize participants with community needs, opportunities, problems and resources. The program concludes in mid-April in a joint graduation ceremony with members of Leadership Norman.

This year’s program will be co-chaired by Scott Hofmann, BancFirst and Autumn McMahon, Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education at the University of Oklahoma. Scott is a graduate of the 2006 Leadership Norman class, and Autumn is a graduate of the 2011 Leadership Norman class.
Chartered in 1990, Tomorrow’s Leaders is entering its twenty-second year. For more information on Tomorrow’s Leaders or any of the Chamber’s three Leadership Programs, contact Erica Millar at 321-7260, or email erica@normanchamber.com.

New Year’s Resolution for 2012: Attend and/or Host a Chamber Networking Event(s)

Make your Chamber membership work for you! Attend or host a networking event(s) in 2012! A current list of Chamber networking events for 2012 is available online at http://www.normanchamber.com/pages/networking_events. We still have a few slots available.

Hosting a networking event is an excellent way to showcase your business to the Norman community. If your business is interested in hosting an event, please contact Lisa Allen at lisa@normanchamber.com or 321-7260. This will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Dates are filling up fast so call today! We will update the calendar as new events are added.  

Business After Hours are typically held on the third Tuesday of the month from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The event attracts 150-200 attendees and costs $500 plus the cost of food and drinks.  Thursday After Hours are the first Thursday of the month from 5:00-7:00 p.m. The event typically attracts 100-125 attendees and costs $400 plus the cost of food and drinks.  Business Before Hours are the fourth Wednesday of the month from 8:00-9:15 a.m. The event attracts about 50 attendees and costs $250 plus the cost of food and drinks.  Businesses in close proximity can combine to co-host an event too.  

Happy 2012!

Chamber to Host Legislative Breakfast

The Norman Chamber of Commerce will host a Legislative Breakfast on Friday, January 13, 8 a.m. at the Chamber building, 115 E. Gray St.

Senator John Sparks, Representative Emily Virgin, Representative Scott Martin and Representative Aaron Stiles have confirmed their attendance.

The Chamber will present the legislators with the Chamber’s legislative agenda approved by the Board of Directors. Each legislator will be able to comment and provide an overview of their personal goals for the 2012 legislative session.

The forum is open to all Chamber members and their guests.

For more information on the forum or the Chamber’s legislative agenda, contact John Woods at the Chamber at 321-7260 or by e-mail at john@normanchamber.com

Norman Philharmonic Opening Concert Scheduled

The new Norman Philharmonic is a professional chamber orchestra dedicated to offering the highest quality of innovative and imaginative programming to the Norman community and surrounding region.
The first concert of the new group is scheduled for Sunday, January 15 at 3 p.m.

This concert will feature the world premiere of Norman Anthem and Symphony for Norman, Oklahoma by acclaimed American composer, Libby Larsen.  Special guests include, Thomas E. Cunningham and Jennifer Baker. Also on the program, Overture to the Marriage of Figaro, W.A. Mozart; Trumpet Concerto in Eb by Joseph Haydn, Karl Sievers, trumpet, Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin; and Rodeo by Aaron Copland

Tickets are available for $10. This event will be held at The Nancy O'Brien Performing Arts Center, 1809 Stubberman, Norman.

For more information about this event or to purchase tickets visit, http://www.soonertheatre.org.

Finding a new way through Norman

By Joy Hampton The Norman Transcript

NORMAN — The Norman Chamber of Commerce and Norman Convention and Visitors Bureau want shoppers, tourists and other visitors to Norman to better find their way around town. In particular, these local business and promotional organizations would like visitors to be able to find retail districts, entertainment venues and cultural attractions.

The Chamber and NCVB would like to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the city to develop a city branding and wayfinding program for Norman.

“In general, wayfinding is a series of signs and symbols you would use here in this community,” said Director of Public Works Shawn O’Leary.

Wayfinding is a program designed to help visitors find their way around town.

“Where do we want to get them?” O’Leary said is one of the questions that will be discussed in future meetings.

Any wayfinding program should be easy to quickly grasp and should include signs, symbols, colors and images to cross cultural and language barriers to serve all visitors and tourists.

Intended as an economic and business development tool, wayfinding could potentially help increase visits to Norman destinations by providing “clear and inviting directions,” O’Leary said.

“The Chamber is very excited about this,” said Chamber President John Woods.

Stephen Koranda, executive Director for NCVB agrees.

Both boards have given the program the “green light,” said O’Leary and are contributing $20,000 each for the purpose of conducting a comprehensive wayfinding study.

“This is coming out of a retail development fund that the Chamber has,” Woods said.

The committee looked for a concept that could benefit the community as a whole. Other entities were having the same conversation so the time was right.

“It’s important for retailers that consumers know where they are going, how to get there and where to park,” Woods said. “They need to know where areas of interest are.”

The public and many groups and organizations will be invited to be part of the development process. A number of public-private partnerships will help fund the implementation of the program that could eventually unfold throughout the city.

“I believe other non-governmental entities will want to partner in this,” Woods said.

Current signage in Norman lacks consistency in sign material, support design and font. There is no uniform style to help brand Norman as the unique community that it is, O’Leary said.

Current signs do not follow through in guiding visitors to specific locations. Many entertainment, recreational, cultural, and civic destinations are not identified through the current signage. Neither are people guided to historic and retail destinations.

O’Leary said part of the purpose of a wayfinding program is to help create a sense of identity in certain areas such as Downtown, Campus Corner, the university schools and various shopping districts.

“Conceptually having uniform, clear signage across the community assists in the endeavor to help visitors locate areas of interest,” Woods said.

If a convention brings visitors to the Embassy Suites, for example, those visitors may not want to stay within University North Park for their entire visit. Clear signage helps to get them out of the hotel room.

“It allows visitors to navigate our community,” Woods said. “When they can do that with ease and comfort, odds are they are going to visit more places and spend more dollars when they’re in Norman.”

Members of the community will help determine the style of signs.

“There’s an artistic function to this. There’s a beautification aspect to this,” Woods said.

The multi-step process will include a planning and design phase where a strategy is developed through community meetings, surveys of visitors and studies to identify gaps in current signage.

The contract and fabrication phase will solicit proposals and bids and present choices to community groups and city council. Signs will be selected and a location map of areas needing signage will be identified.

Eventually the signs will be reviewed and unveiled and then installed. A plan for maintenance will keep the new system up and running.

Currently, the city is entering the planning and design phase. City council indicated it is amenable to entering the Memorandum of Understanding with the Chamber and NCVB. That MOU will be on a future council agenda.

“There is no funding commitment or sign number commitment,” O’Leary said of the city’s obligation.

The obligation is to proceed with the process and to seek grants and other means to help fund the program.